NHL Hockey 8-Hour Briefing
×Last updated: October 6, 2026, 2:08 PM ET
NHL Hockey
Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin has announced that this season will be his last, confirming his retirement at age. Opponents and teammates alike explain the unique mechanics of his shot, calling it "nearly impossible" to stop. In other notable returns, Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand scored his first goal since Feb. 26 in his season debut after recovering from surgery. Meanwhile, Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin is set to debut Tuesday despite his recent trade request, and San Jose Sharks star Macklin Celebrini was scratched with a lower-body injury before the Sharks' 5-0 loss.
Game Previews and Injury Updates
The NHL's nine-game slate features a marquee matchup as the Rangers and Islanders face off in Round 1 of the Battle of New York. In injury news, Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark exited his team's game against the Bruins after a collision, leaving after two periods.
Fantasy Hockey and Player Rankings
For fantasy managers, our weekly picks highlight Nathan Mac Kinnon's linemate as a top add. our NHL Rank projects the top 100 players for 2026-27, with Connor McDavid holding the No. 1 spot.
Other League Action
In other results, the Yankees are staring at a sweep after their ALDS Game 2 loss to the Rays, while the Falcons ran roughshod over the Saints on "MNF."